Although plenty may be content with whipping up some sweet little Christmas biscuits for a loved one this year, here at Great British Chefs we wanted to take things to the next level with some more ambitious foodie gifts. These won't only (hopefully) fill the recipients with glee, but will satisfy any food nerd who wishes to tackle them. Besides, you can always double up on quantities when making your gifts and keep some for yourself.

Ah, pastrami. So easy to buy in the shops for all of your Christmas sandwich needs. But where's the fun in that? Homemade pastrami lords it over vac-packed commercial products with its intense flavour, plus you can show off about how you tested it with three different types of wood chips before you found your perfect level of smokiness. Find out all you need to know in our video guide.

Want to give those great, fanciful tins of Confit d’Oie found in posh food markets a run for their money? Try whipping up a gigantic batch of confit goose at home to pack into jars and present to your loved ones. The sight of your parents digging fat-covered goose legs out of a massive jar will provide a Christmas memory to cherish. Probably not the best choice for your gout-plagued uncle, though.

This is a great gift for someone who either has A) a keen interest in baking in all its forms or B) someone who lives in east London, has a beard and possibly wears thick-rimmed glasses. The sourdough craze is unstoppable, mainly because it’s one of the most delicious and magical forms of bread in the world. Learn how to make a sourdough starter kit for your loved ones with the help of Food Urchin, who fashioned his by reviving his dormant, neglected sourdough starter ‘Veronica III’. It’s the foamy, yeasty gift that keeps on giving.

As anyone who has attempted them can testify, doughnuts are a right bugger to make. There are so many elements that can go wrong in these seemingly simple treats that making a batch for a loved one is perhaps the ultimate sign of dedication and reverence. Just make sure the recipient knows how hard they are to make though, or you will be sorely disappointed at their reaction. These blackberry jam-filled cinnamon doughnuts from Tom Aikens are an ideal choice for Christmas, and it even comes with a handy video from Tom packed with tips.